My Ultimate Overland Truck Setup for Hunting, Scouting & Backcountry Travel (2026 Update)

My Ultimate Overland Truck Setup for Hunting, Scouting & Backcountry Travel (2026 Update)

By Beau Martonik

I spend a lot of time living out of my truck. Not just driving to a trailhead and back — I mean weeks at a time, hunting public land, scouting new country, pushing into places that require you to be fully self-contained. From the steep ridges of Montana bear country to remote eastern whitetail spots, having a rig that’s reliable, mobile, and ready for anything isn’t a luxury; it's necessary for getting the job done.

Since upgrading from the old heavy Chevy to a 2023 Toyota Tundra TRD Sport SR5, I’ve built it out to work as a base camp on wheels — a system I can close up in five minutes and be rolling to the next spot without losing a beat. Below is the full breakdown of what I run, why it’s in there, and what I’ve cut along the way.

The Truck Platform: 2023 Toyota Tundra TRD Sport (SR5)

I chose the 2023 Tundra for its reputation for reliability. While I originally wanted the TRD Off-Road, I saved money going with the Sport and added aftermarket upgrades. It’s got the miles on it now and has performed everywhere I’ve needed it to go.

Exterior Upgrades & Recovery

  • DiamondBack HD Bed Cover – Lockable and durable, folds open for easy access. Everything I want secured stays secured.

  • Westcott Designs Leveling Kit – Keeps a factory-like ride while allowing 35” tires.

  • Toyo Open Country AT3s (35x12.50x20) – Switched from the BFG KO2s I’d run for years. About 8,000 miles in on these. A little quieter, 50K mile warranty, and they’ve done well in snow and slush. Slightly less grip on slushier roads than the BFGs, but only by a little. Still forming a full opinion.

  • Rough Country Pro Series Hidden Winch Setup – 12,000 lb synthetic rope winch tucked behind what still looks like a stock bumper (factory outer plastic, steel underneath). Added D-ring recovery points and a small light bar for foggy mountain roads. If you spend any time by yourself in remote areas, a winch is something you’ll eventually wish you had. Should’ve done it sooner.

  • Toyota Predator Steps – OEM sliders from the TRD Pro for frame and side protection.

  • TRD Skid Plate – Additional underbody protection.

  • Airlift LoadLifter 5000 Rear Airbags – Essential to counter the Tundra’s rear coil spring sag when loaded with gear.

Bed Storage & Toolbox Setup

Everyday Essentials:

Under the Hood — K&N Cold Air Intake

I was burning through paper air filters constantly — dusty roads, multiple states, every 6-10 months at $20-25 a pop. Switched to a K&N cold air intake. They’ve been making the same oiled filter since 1969, rated to 100,000 miles between cleanings. On the Tundra, it adds roughly 17 hp and 25 lb-ft of torque. Mostly, I just wanted something I didn’t have to think about.

Rooftop Tent Setup

Running a Go Fast Campers V2 rooftop tent on Yakima HD bars (DiamondBack kit). Opens in under a minute — clip each side, lift, poles lock. That’s it. I’ve tried trailers, small campers, other tent setups over the years. Keep coming back to this because I can close it up and be rolling in five minutes. Only real downside: your camp is attached to your truck, so on public land you lose your spot when you drive out. Something to factor in.

Inside: built-in mattress with cover, Sitka Aerolite 30° Sleeping Bag (compresses tight), Sika Windstopper blanket for cold nights. Bug netting all around.

Emergency & Survival Gear (Inside Cab)

Stored behind the passenger seat in a Sitka Drifter 50L Duffel, this kit ensures I’m always prepared:

Connectivity & Power

  • Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Power Station – Charges laptop, phones, and powers my Starlink system. Easily lasts a full week hunt running Starlink regularly. Two weeks just charging phones and cameras.

  • Starlink Mini System – Packs into a small backpack. Gives me internet anywhere for uploading content and staying connected. Paired with the InReach Mini and iPhone satellite messaging, being unreachable in an emergency isn’t a real concern.


Comfort Kit

Cab Gear & Final Touches

  • Turtlebox Ranger Speaker – Fits right behind the back seat. Loud for its size, has magnets so it sticks to anything metal. Nice to have tunes around camp, especially after a successful hunt.

  • Maven B3 8x30 Binos – On a Rick Young harness, in the truck almost always.

  • Cut-Resistant Leather Gloves – For winching, sawing, or loading sharp gear.

  • Sawyer Picaridin Spray – Bug protection, always within reach.

  • Sitka Drifter Hip Pack – Holds pistol, keys, and earbuds for quick runs or hikes.

  • Streamlight Flashlight – Bright, durable, perfect for blood trailing.

  • Case Trapper Knife, 2-way Radios – For comms on the road or hunting with a buddy.

Camp Chef Rainier 2X Cook Station

Small, packable, has both a griddle and a burner. Coffee going on one side, bacon and eggs on the other. Works for everything I’ve needed so far. It looks like it might be discontinued, because I can’t find a link to it.

What I Removed

Hi-lift jack. Carried one for close to 10 years. Used it maybe twice, and it didn’t work great either time. With newer vehicles, there aren’t many good lift points anyway, and now that I have the winch, the come-along function is covered. Pulled it out along with all the chains, dropped a decent amount of weight, and simplified the kit.

If you’re adding things without removing things, your truck just becomes a junk pile.

Stay Connected

Like this setup? Subscribe to the East Meets West Hunt Podcast and follow along on YouTube and Instagram for more gear breakdowns, hunt recaps, and behind-the-scenes content from the road.

Full gear shop: eastmeetswesthunt.com

Instagram: @beau.martonik / @eastmeetswesthunt

 

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